Abstract: A double disk refiner and inducer for the same that mixes fiber in low consistency (6% or less by weight) stock and urges it towards both pairs of refiner disks of the double disk refiner. In a preferred embodiment, the inducer comprises an impeller that has at least one flight extending radially outward from an inner hub. Each flight is angled and also can be curved so as to substantially continuously mix and urge stock toward the disks. In one preferred embodiment, the inducer is an impeller that has two helical flights that are axially spaced from one another but that overlap in an axial direction. In a preferred method, the low consistency stock is urged by the inducer toward the disks preventing clumping of fibers in the stock and breaking up any clumps already present in the stock. As a result, the gap between the disks can be increased from between one thousand and three thousandths of an inch to increase the output of the refiner.

Abstract: A double disk refiner and inducer for the same that mixes fiber in low consistency (6% or less by weight) stock and urges it towards both pairs of refiner disks of the double disk refiner. In a preferred embodiment, the inducer comprises an impeller that has at least one flight extending radially outward from an inner hub. Each flight is angled and also can be curved so as to substantially continuously mix and urge stock toward the disks. In one preferred embodiment, the inducer is an impeller that has two helical flights that are axially spaced from one another but that overlap in an axial direction. In a preferred method, the low consistency stock is urged by the inducer toward the disks preventing clumping of fibers in the stock and breaking up any clumps already present in the stock. As a result, the gap between the disks can be increased from between one thousand and three thousandths of an inch to increase the output of the refiner.

Abstract: The refiner plate for a low consistency pulp refiner has a multiplicity of curved bars or zig-zag bars, or a combination of the two. The operation of a disc refiner causes a rapid and frequent flexure over a brief time period of the individual fibers in a pulp mass, with the result that the bond between the various concentric lamellae comprising an individual fiber are broken down or delaminated to a controlled, desired extent. The individual bars which traverse a surface of the rotating and fixed plates dissipate the power supplied by the central shaft to the rotating plate. The multiplicity of curved bars or zig-zag bars, or a combination of the two have a longer bar length, and therefore lower the power dissipation per bar and per bar unit length. The flow of pulp containing the fiber also generally follows the channels between the bars so that longer bar path length results in longer residence time.